Nuggets: Another Epilogue
No doubt, leave a rapper in a body cast And wonder what he was doing while we was in a karate class...
Nugget options as they go down in the first round for the fifth straight year:
-“Blow it all up!” – This seems to be the most popular of the talk radio callers, to completely disassemble this team and “start over.” Many of these callers must’ve forgot the constant “starting over” campaigns of the 90s and early 2000s. The amount of work involved to clean house is monumental and probably isn’t smart basketball and business wise. From the front office, to the coaches, to the players, who is going to effectively manage the entire makeover? Silent Stanley? Rocky? Then you are effectively dropping into last place in the conference while waiting to use draft picks, young players to mature, and management to get on the ground running.
-“Trade Melo!” – Melo would certainly command a pair of first rounders and a front line player. However, would a team be willing to trade for a max player who’s reputation on and off the court is being questioned? We’ve seen Melo look out of shape, defensively inept, and call out his organization and teammates. Surely any team would want that! Still, Melo is a hot name and will bring interest to any team, especially those in the Eastern Conference.
-“Fire Karl!” – This seems the most plausible option, however it is also the most unlikely. Silent Stan and George Karl maintain a personal and business relationship and Karl has two years remaining with a healthy dollar amount. More likely is Karl leaving on his own accord, maybe with a small buyout. At this stage in his life, Karl has the cash and a new attitude that doesn’t give him as mush fire as the Sonics or Bucks’ days. He might see this circus isn’t worth it and retire into the sunset, or maybe move in with Isiah Thomas.
“Camby/AI shipped out”- Marcus Camby realistically has 2-3 years of top performance left, and his trade would benefit a team looking for a solid defensive presence. AI, the guy has done everything they’ve asked, but it just might be time to conclude the experiment hasn’t worked. AI would add instant sizzle to any team he went to, so there would be interest in not only his ability, but in his expiring contract.
For some reason, the name that keeps popping into the basketball-like SG head is TJ Ford of Toronto. The Raptors seem ready to ride Jose Calderon at the point, and are in many ways the Nuggets of the East (tremendous talent, but can’t take the next step.) Would they perhaps be interested in listening to the Nugs? Can Camby order back bacon and Molson? The tide in the West seems to be slowly turning to a point guard-based team (think: Deron Williams, Chris Paul) and Ford would certainly fit that mold.
-“Blow it all up!” – This seems to be the most popular of the talk radio callers, to completely disassemble this team and “start over.” Many of these callers must’ve forgot the constant “starting over” campaigns of the 90s and early 2000s. The amount of work involved to clean house is monumental and probably isn’t smart basketball and business wise. From the front office, to the coaches, to the players, who is going to effectively manage the entire makeover? Silent Stanley? Rocky? Then you are effectively dropping into last place in the conference while waiting to use draft picks, young players to mature, and management to get on the ground running.
-“Trade Melo!” – Melo would certainly command a pair of first rounders and a front line player. However, would a team be willing to trade for a max player who’s reputation on and off the court is being questioned? We’ve seen Melo look out of shape, defensively inept, and call out his organization and teammates. Surely any team would want that! Still, Melo is a hot name and will bring interest to any team, especially those in the Eastern Conference.
-“Fire Karl!” – This seems the most plausible option, however it is also the most unlikely. Silent Stan and George Karl maintain a personal and business relationship and Karl has two years remaining with a healthy dollar amount. More likely is Karl leaving on his own accord, maybe with a small buyout. At this stage in his life, Karl has the cash and a new attitude that doesn’t give him as mush fire as the Sonics or Bucks’ days. He might see this circus isn’t worth it and retire into the sunset, or maybe move in with Isiah Thomas.
“Camby/AI shipped out”- Marcus Camby realistically has 2-3 years of top performance left, and his trade would benefit a team looking for a solid defensive presence. AI, the guy has done everything they’ve asked, but it just might be time to conclude the experiment hasn’t worked. AI would add instant sizzle to any team he went to, so there would be interest in not only his ability, but in his expiring contract.
For some reason, the name that keeps popping into the basketball-like SG head is TJ Ford of Toronto. The Raptors seem ready to ride Jose Calderon at the point, and are in many ways the Nuggets of the East (tremendous talent, but can’t take the next step.) Would they perhaps be interested in listening to the Nugs? Can Camby order back bacon and Molson? The tide in the West seems to be slowly turning to a point guard-based team (think: Deron Williams, Chris Paul) and Ford would certainly fit that mold.
RELATED: The Nuggets Epilogue from last year
Labels: Nuggets
posted by @slushygutter at 12:44 AM
8 Comments:
I want TJ Ford about as much as I want something long and shiny delivered directly into my backside.
He's sulky and injury prone. Just what the Nuggets need.
I'm not particularly fond of the idea, but I think the teams best interest is to look at what you can get for Melo. Let's face it, he's not terribly good in the transition game which is the style they prefer to play, and he's a headcase. I have no idea why you couldn't manage to get a couple picks and a contract for him.
Think about someplace like Memphis, would you be able to get the pick to get Derrick Rose, Mike Miller and then let AI do the majority of the scoring for a year and see where you are?
I have no doubt that a combo of Kleiza and Miller could duplicate Melo's numbers.
I thought the same thing with Ford, but I kept coming back to and early Chauncey Billups- injuries, streaky. At this point DN have to consider a new direction. After watching Mr Longoria last night, the PGs in WC are sick.
I like the Mike Miller idea, but would Memphis trade away that top pick and a chance to draft the hometown star? (Think the same vein as Texans not drafting VYoung)
We maybe could get Miller for a draft pick or the pair of long scissors in Spotwood's backside?
Well, it's hard to tell with Memphis. Rose isn't a homegrown Memphis guy, he's only been there for what, 8 months? I kinda doubt they're that attached to him.
And given that they already have Conley, Crittendon and Lowery on the roster, it doesn't make much sense for them to draft yet another PG.
I still think you can package Melo down there, it gives them someone to market and would give Denver what their lacking, a playmaker.
I never thought I'd say this, but you know who Denver really misses right now? Andre 'Cheeto' Miller.
great conversation here fellas. Memphis doesn't know what the heck they are doin, so they might take K-Mart and Rocky for Miller and the first pick. definitely worth checking, but the Nugs are committed to Melo, he aint going anywhere. Camby is you best bet to get rid of to get some help. Having Miller back would be great at this point too. Man.
this all said, who isn't going to be suprised if the exact same team shows up at camp.
Rocky is untouchable.
I'm solidly in the fire karl camp. Not a fan. I think they have to listen to any trade offers involving Melo.
^Spotwood- you're gonna have to refresh my memory on the "Cheeto" thing. Rings a bell a bit.
^Natty- you are probably right, same team other than the fringe guys. You have to wonder if Mike Miller could have the Korver effect.
^Herc - Rocky might be at the end of the road in the eyes of many....going on his 19th year. Same dude inside the gear too. Plus he had that stalking charge a few years back. Although the reading the paper thing when the Lakers were introduced was pretty good.
I started calling him 'Cheeto' about year and a half ago when he looked about 30 pounds overweight and slow.
Maybe he was hanging at Josh Howard's house during the offseason.
It's been the same dude in the costume for 19 years?
Someone needs some career counseling.
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